Shrub rose plant named &#39;VLR002&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of shrub rose plant herein referred to by its cultivar name, ‘VLR002’, is provided that abundantly forms on a continuous basis attractive double formed, red colored blossoms. The plant exhibits semi-upright bush growth habit and dark green foliage is formed. Resistance to black spot disease is displayed. The plant is well suited for providing attractive ornamentation in the landscape.

Botanical/commercial classification: Latin name—Rosa hybrida. Commonname—Shrub Rose Plant.

Varietal denomination: ‘VLR002’.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority Plant Breeders' Rights ApplicationNumber 18-9372, which was filed in Canada on Jan. 11, 2018, of which thecontent of is hereby expressly incorporated by reference in its entiretyfor all purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct variety of Rosa hybrida shrub rose plant wascreated in 2012 in Vineland, Ontario, Canada by artificial pollinationwherein two parents which previously had been studied were crossed inthe hope that they would contribute the desired characteristics. Thefemale parent (i.e., the seed parent) of the new variety was the ‘60’variety (non-patented). The male parent (i.e., the pollen parent) wasthe ‘564’ variety (non-patented in the United States).

The parentage of the new variety can be summarized as follows:

‘60’ x ‘564’.

The seeds resulting from the above pollination were sown and smallplants were obtained which were physically and biologically differentfrom one another. Seedlings were evaluated and a single seedlingpossessing desired characteristics was identified.

It was found that the new shrub rose plant of the present inventionpossesses the following combination of characteristics:

(a) abundantly and continuously forms attractive double formed redblossoms,

(b) exhibits a semi-upright bush growth habit,

(c) forms attractive dark green foliage, and

(d) is well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in thelandscape.

The new variety well meets the needs of the horticultural industry andcan be grown to advantage in the landscape, including parks, gardens,public areas, and residential landscapes, where attractive ornamentationis to be provided.

The new variety can be readily distinguished from its ancestors. Morespecifically, while ‘VLR002’ displays red colored flowers, the ‘60’variety (i.e., the seed parent) displays dissimilar red colored flowersand the ‘564’ variety (i.e., the pollen parent) displays dissimilarlight yellow colored flowers. In addition, the new variety displayslarger leaves and darker foliage compared to both the ‘60’ variety andthe ‘564’ variety. Moreover, the new variety can be readilydistinguished from related similar non-parental varieties. For example,the ‘Siena Vigorosa’ variety (non-patented) displays semi-double, pinkcolored flowers and medium green foliage, whereas the new varietydisplays double, red colored flowers and dark green foliage. Inaddition, the plant of the new variety is taller, exhibits a lowernumber of petals, and provides larger flowers and leaves compared to the‘Siena Vigorosa’ variety.

The characteristics of the new variety have been found in Canada to behomogeneous and stable and to be strictly transmissible from onegeneration to another by asexual propagation through vegetativecuttings. Accordingly, the new variety reproduces in a true-to-typemanner by such asexual propagation.

The new variety has been named ‘VLR002’, and is being marketed under theAurora Borealis Trademark.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photographs show as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same, in a color illustration of this character,typical specimens of the plant parts of the new variety. The illustratedrose plants of the new variety were approximately two years of age andwere observed during August and September of 2017 while growing outdoorsin the ground on their own roots at Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada.

FIG. 1—illustrates a specimen of a 5 leaflet leaf—plan view—uppersurface.

FIG. 2—illustrates a specimen of a 3 leaflet leaf—plan view—uppersurface.

FIG. 3—illustrates a specimen of a 7 leaflet leaf—plan view—uppersurface.

FIG. 4—illustrates a specimen of a plant growing outside; showingblossoms as various stages of opening.

FIG. 5—illustrates a specimen of an open flower—plan view—obverse.

FIG. 6—illustrates an abundantly flowering rose plant growing outside.

FIG. 7—illustrates the foliage of a specimen of the plant.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The chart used in the identification of the colors is that of The RoyalHorticultural Society (“R.H.S.”) (R.H.S. Colour Chart, 2007). Thedescription is based on the observation of plants two years of ageduring April of 2017 while growing outdoors in the ground on their ownroots at Vineland Station, Ontario, Canada.

-   Class: Shrub Rose.-   Plant:    -   -   Growth habit.—Semi upright bush.        -   Height.—Approximately 61 cm on average.        -   Width.—Approximately 64 cm on average.-   Branches:    -   -   Color.—Commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144A on young stems            and commonly near Green Group 138B on mature stems/old wood.        -   Stems.—Main stems: diameter is approximately 9.9 mm on            average; length is approximately 62 cm on average. —            secondary stems: diameter is approximately 6.0 mm on            average; length is approximately 27.8 cm on average.        -   Thorns.—Young thorn: length is approximately 4.0 mm on            average; diameter at base is approximately 1.9 mm on            average; and color is commonly near Red Group 47C. — mature            thorn: length is approximately 6.9 mm on average; diameter            at base is approximately 4.1 mm; and color is commonly near            Orange Group 26B.-   Foliage:    -   -   Number of leaflets.—Typically 5, occasionally 3 or 7.        -   Terminal leaflet size.—Approximately 4.2 cm on average in            length and approximately 3.0 cm on average in width.        -   Lower leaflet size.—Approximately 2.9 cm on average in            length and approximately 2.0 cm on average in width.        -   Overall leaf size.—Approximately 11.6 cm on average in            length and approximately 9.6 cm on average in width.-   Leaflets:    -   -   Shape.—Ovate.        -   Margin type.—Serrate.        -   Texture.—Smooth.        -   Color.—Young leaflet upper surface is commonly near Green            Group 138A and under surface is commonly Yellow-Green Group            146B. — mature leaflet upper surface is commonly near            Yellow-Green Group 147A and under surface is commonly near            Yellow-Green Group 147B.        -   Venation.—Pattern: pinnate, cross-venulate. — color:            commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144B.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Number of blossoms per cluster.—Commonly 1-2 on average.        -   Typical number of blossoms per plant.—Commonly 75-90.        -   Bloom season.—Commonly June to October.        -   Peduncle.—Color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 144B. —            size: length is approximately 5.7 cm on average and width is            approximately 2.0 mm on average.        -   Sepal.—Size: length is approximately 2.6 cm on average and            width at base is approximately 7.0 mm on average. — color:            upper surface is commonly near Green Group 138B and under            surface is commonly near Green Group 143A. — number:            commonly 5. — margin type: weak.        -   Bud.—Shape: medium ovate. — size: length is approximately            2.2 cm on average and diameter is approximately 1.3 mm on            average. — color: commonly near Yellow-Green Group 146C.        -   Flower.—Form: double. — petal number approximately 1.8 on            average. — petal size: approximately 3.1 cm on average in            length and approximately 3.2 cm on average in width. — petal            shape: overall shape is obovate; base is round; apex is            round. — petal margin type: even and smooth. — petal drop:            drop clean. — size: approximately 7.2 cm on average in            diameter and approximately 2.7 cm on average in depth. —            color when opening: petal upper surface is commonly near Red            Group 46C and petal lower surface is commonly near Red Group            45D. — color when fully open: upper surface is commonly near            Red Group 46C and lower surface is commonly near Red Group            54A. — fragrance: weak. − stamen number approximately            110-160 on average. — anther: approximately 2.1 mm on            average in length, approximately 1.2 mm on average in width,            sagittate in shape, and color is commonly near Yellow Group            6A. — filament: approximately 7.7 mm on average in length;            approximately 0.3 mm on average in diameter; and commonly            near Yellow Group 6D. — pollen: commonly a good amount and            color is commonly near Yellow-Orange Group 19C. — pistil            number: approximately 75-90 on average. — stigma:            approximately 1.2 mm on average in length, shape is rounded,            cauliflower shape, and color is commonly near Yellow-Orange            Group 18B. — style: length is approximately 5.1 mm on            average, diameter is approximately 0.25 mm on average, and            color is commonly light yellow.        -   Receptacle.—Shape: pitcher-shape. — size: length is            approximately 8.0 mm on average and width is approximately            6.0 mm on average. — color commonly near Yellow-Green Group            144A.        -   Hips.—Not observed at this time.-   Development:    -   -   Vegetation.—Good healthy growth.        -   Blooming.—Continuous, June to October.        -   Resistance to diseases.—Resistance to black spot fungus            Diplocarpon rosae.

The new ‘VLR002’ variety has nol been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that thephenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensityand duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct shrub rose plant characterized by thefollowing combination of characteristics: (a) abundantly andcontinuously forms attractive double formed red blossoms, (b) exhibits asemi-upright bush growth habit, (c) forms attractive dark green foliage,and (d) is well suited for growing as attractive ornamentation in thelandscape; substantially as herein shown and described.